On April 20, 2012, Raymond E. Beckham, former faculty member and administrator of the Communications Department at BYU, will be speaking at the College of Fine Arts and Communications’ Convocation.
The College of Fine Arts and Communications is honored to have such a highly qualified speaker for this year’s convocation. As a Professor Emeritus of Communications, Beckham spent 21 years teaching advertising and public relations at Brigham Young University. He served as the Alumni Director for 10 years, Director of Development for five years, and the Director of Public Services for five years. Beckham founded the Aspen Grove Family Camp and worked for the travel studies department, evening school and the New York City Internship Program.
Passionately involved in the athletics programs at BYU, Beckham was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 2008. Beckham was the BYU Sports Information Director for three years and was a member of the Athletic Council for 15 years. He co-founded the Cougar Club and was highly involved in the fundraising for the LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Marriott Center and the Smith Fieldhouse. Beckham has received various other awards that commend his continual hard work and success including the Man of the Year Award at BYU, the Presidential Medal and the Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
In the community, Beckham served as the Council President for Boy Scouts of America for three terms, and as a member of the Executive Board for 40 years. He was the Utah County Chapter Chairman for the American Red Cross for nine terms and the Founding President of the Provo Downtown Alliance. He currently serves on various service boards for the Provo committee and has held many other leadership positions in the community.
Joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 18, Raymond Beckham has spent his entire life in the service of the Church. He has served in many callings, serving as stake president, bishop, member of the high council, scoutmaster, mission president, regional representative of the Twelve, member of the adult curriculum committee, chairman of the home teaching committee, member of the Melchizedek Priesthood committee, minority committee, temple sealer and member of the Provo Temple Presidency. He also served nine years as a full-time missionary in the Church Public Affairs Department, the last four of which were on the Church Olympic Committee for the 2002 Winter Games.
Outside of his service in the Church and education, Beckham also worked as the vice president of corporate communications for Nu Skin International, Inc., former chairman and board member of Deseret Federal Savings and Loan, and former president of National Resources and Deseret Villages.
In 1947 Beckham married the late Ida Lee Jackson and they raised five children and have 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Following his first wife's death in 1994, Beckham married Janette Callister Hales, who also has five children and 14 grandchildren.
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